Folic acid supplementation during pregnancy is the commonly accepted treatment to prevent neural tube defects, yet the mechanism by which FA prevents neural tube defects (NTDs) remains unclear.
A research group led by Prof. Abraham Fainsod  from the faculty of medicine in the Hebrew University explored the molecular mechanism  of folic acid, findings shown in a paper recently published in PNAS.
Their results show that folic acid promotes the production of the vitamin A derivative retinoic acid, thereby preventing NTDs. Eliminating the enzyme responsible for linking vitamin B9 to retinoic acid, ALDH1L1, abolishes the NTD-preventing effects of folic acid.

Link to the article  - https://www.growkudos.com/publications/10.1073%25252Fpnas.2616501123/reader

For the full paper please see file attached below!